Slime in misting system reservoir

[rmichaelk]

Hi Everyone,
I have a 2 gallon bucket that I am using as a reservoir for the mist system and I am noticing that the tube in there and the sides of the bucket get slimy after a couple of days. Is there any way to avoid this?

And if this can't be avoided then would it hurt my chameleon?

I know that changing the water everyday might help and that's what I plan on doing but I would like the system to be in place and work fine when I am out of town for a couple of days.

Any thoughts? Thank you.

Michael

 

[skully23]

Thats what happens to water that sits around. Just clean everyday or every other day

 

[RPCV]

Is there any way to avoid this?

Routine cleaning is only practical option (chemical additives would help but can be worse than what is growing in the system)

And if this can't be avoided then would it hurt my chameleon?

It could. The biofilm (slime) is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria which are then released into the water and aerosolized into the cage.

I know that changing the water everyday might help and that's what I plan on doing but I would like the system to be in place and work fine when I am out of town for a couple of days.

A couple of days would not be a problem. Assuming you are starting with a clean system and have water that is free of microbial contamination it would take a good amount of time for the slime growth to initiate (more than a week). But once it gets a toe hold or is not completely removed during cleaning it can return much faster.

 

[rmichaelk]

So when cleaning I assume I would clean with dish soap followed by a disinfectant, either Chlorhexidine, diluted bleach, vinegar, etc? Right.

Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it.

Michael

 

[nick barta]

Michael,

I use vinegar in a 50/50 ratio to clean my reservoir. My reservoir is 20 gallons, and it never gets slime, so I am not sure why yours does. Mine is filled every 3 to 4 days. Do you have it sealed on the top? Is it in direct sunlight?
Curious as to why you have been slimed.....

Nick

 

[RPCV]

Another option would be if you have a dishwasher that can fit it that has a high temp. drying cycle.

 

[Chameleonboy]

Is it in direct sunlight at all? This may cause the "Slime". Thats what happens to fish tanks when they are in sunlight.

-Clemonde

 

[trdlabs]

Hi Everyone,
I have a 2 gallon bucket that I am using as a reservoir for the mist system and I am noticing that the tube in there and the sides of the bucket get slimy after a couple of days. Is there any way to avoid this?

And if this can't be avoided then would it hurt my chameleon?

I know that changing the water everyday might help and that's what I plan on doing but I would like the system to be in place and work fine when I am out of town for a couple of days.

Any thoughts? Thank you.

Michael

Use r/o water. I have never had that problem with r/o. I have had water sit for months no problem.

 

[rmichaelk]

My reservoir is not in direct sunlight and actually it is not even close to any light. I have the lid on it but there are holes cut in the lid for me to insert a water heater and the hose for the pump.

I setup the misting system a few weeks ago and then had to stop using it and of course I forgot to dump the water and clean the reservoir, duh. That's when it started and after that I have cleaned with hot water and dish soap but without much luck. I will try the vinegar. Thanks.

Michael

 

[Chameleonboy]

Do you have the water heater on all day?

-Clemonde

 

[atsutane]

I believe this is algae starting to grow, without adding harmfull chemicals, if you have some old pennies (cleaned of course) that have high copper concentration, for reasons i have yet to discover, it keeps algae from growing

 

[rmichaelk]

Yes, I have the water heater on during the day time.

I am not sure it is algae because I have never seen algae grow in the absence of light.

Michael